COVID-19 & WSU Housing

At this time there is no requirement to have the COVID-19 Vaccine to live on campus. The Kansas Board of Regents would need to put a law into place for this to become a reality. We will update this information as we know more. 

WSU is not requiring COVID-19 testing this academic year.

Testing is available through Student Health and is free to all students.

Prior to your arrival back to the halls in August, please start watching the KDHE Website (linked in the next sentence). The state of Kansas’ Health Department (KDHE) sometimes requires individuals coming from certain high risk states to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival within the State of Kansas. If you are returning from one that is currently on the Travel Quarantine list, you will need to notify housing so you can quarantine appropriately prior to the start of the Fall semester. 

Yes, residents may have guests in their rooms this academic year. Roommates must still consent to having guests in shared spaces, even if the guest lives in the same buiding. Residents are still responsible for their guests' behavior.

If you recently traveled to an area experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak and feel sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, within 14 days after you left the area, you should:

• Seek medical care right away. Call ahead before you go to Student Health Services (316-978-4792), doctor’s office or emergency rooms, and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms. For WSU students, Student Health Services; (316) 978-4792; is open 8-5 Monday through Friday. SHS is not a high complexity lab and cannot test for COVID-19.
• Student Health Services will be open duirng intercession times. However, they will be closed during the University Shutdown which is from December 18th-January 4th. See the Student Health website for more information.
• Avoid contact with others.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to avoid spreading the virus to others. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

Yes.

The list below are all expectations during the COVID-19 pandemic and failing to follow any of these are not a violation of the code of conduct.  However, intentionally putting others health and safety at risks may result in disciplinary charges through the Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards.

Additionally, this is a complex, challenging, and fluid situation which continues to evolve rapidly. All information in this statement is subject to change as deemed necessary by Housing and Residence Life in accordance with guidance and recommendations issued by federal, state, and local public health and government officials.

Personal Wellness Checks

• You should check yourselves for one or more of the following symptoms:
• Temperature greater than 100.4 F/38 C
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty breathing
• Chills, repeated shaking with chills
• Muscle pain, headache, sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell
• If any of the symptoms above apply to you, we ask that you work with Student Health Services to better determine if you have COVID-19 and develop an Action Plan.

Sanitizing/Cleaning and Personal Hygiene

• The HRL Facilities team will clean all common areas (Laundry, Kitchen, Lounge, Media Spaces, etc) in the residence halls regularly.
• It is good practice to clean the common areas in your apartment/suite daily. These would include bathrooms, kitchens (if they exist), living rooms, etc. in your apartment/suite. This will allow us to minimize exposure to other suitemates who may be using these areas as well.
• Hand sanitizer will be provided at Information Desks and departmental gathering spaces as available. If supplies are running low, please let an HRL Staff member know ASAP.
• It is recommended that you wash your hands regularly.

In accordance with State guidelines, Housing and Residence Life at Wichita State University is ensuring that all individuals follow self-isolation/quarantine measures if they are traveling from any of the places listed on the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Travel & Exposure Related Isolation/Quarantine webpage.  More details in regards to this can be viewed here.   

At this time, we are planning to move forward with shared room spaces.  However, we have policies in place so if a student becomes ill, they (and their roommates) will have options for quarantine.  

For example: My brother travels to Florida and then comes home a few days before I move back in, do I need to quarantine for 14 days before arriving?

 

No, if the people you were around were not in direct contact with COVID-19, you are not considered to be at risk and can move in at your scheduled time.  However, the people that traveled would not be able to accompany you to campus for move in.

There may be a cancellation charges added to your student account, but you have the right to appeal the charges.  For more information on the appeal process, please contact housing.wsu@wichita.edu.